Seniors

2021 Victorian Seniors Festival

 The 2021 Victorian Seniors Festival will take place from June 1 to October 31 2021 with live events across Victoria from 1 to 31 October 2021.  

More info: Victorian Seniors Festival website 

Free public transport for seniors

The Victorian Government offers free public transport for seniors cardholders during the Victorian Seniors Festival. This usually includes 8 days of metro travel on trains, trams and buses. It includes some V/Line train services and regional town buses.

To plan your journey, or for more information call 1800 800 007 or to the Public Transport Victoria website

Senior Victorians and Carer cardholders are being encouraged to get back out there and enjoy Victoria! 

• In line with public health advice, everyone on public transport is required to wear a fitted face mask, practise social distancing, good hygiene and follow health directions.  
• Includes Melbourne trains, buses, trams, and regional V/Line trains  
• Cardholders will need to carry their myki and Seniors card or Carer card and touch on and off as usual. 

V-Line bookings call Public Transport Victoria (PTV) on 1800 800 007 or visit the PTV website

Forget Me Not Cafe - Dementia friendly cafe sessions in Koo Wee Rup and Pakenham

For info visit the 'Dementia-friendly communities' page

My Aged Care support services

• Getting some help at home can enable you to continue to live independently in your own home for as long as possible. 
• If you’re finding it harder to do the things you used to, you can ask for some help at home. There are many types of care available, from long term to short term, to transition post-surgery care, to respite care.
• To find out about help that's available go to the My Aged Care website. 

Go to the My Aged Care website

Get advice on the My Aged Care system

• You can access the My Aged Care Navigators Hub, usually based at the Outlook Community Centre in Pakenham, by calling the Council of the Ageing (COTA) head office.
• This information service is very helpful. It can assist you to maintain your independence living at home, providing support and advice on navigating the My Aged Care System.  Call and arrange a phone appointment with a navigator. They will help you understand the My Aged Care information and how it can be tailored to meet your individual needs.

Phone: 1300 135 090
Email: askcota@cotavic.org.au

Activities, groups and events

We have 8 community centres that provide people of all ages and backgrounds with places to meet, share, exchange information and learn together in supportive, nurturing environments. 
A wide range of activities and courses are offered. Find out what is available this term at your local centre.

• Beaconsfield Community Centre 
  Phone: 5944 3484
• Bunyip and District Community House 
  Phone: 0481 895 509
• Cockatoo Community House  
  Phone: 5968 9031
• Emerald Community House 
  Phone: 5968 3881
• Lang Lang Community Centre 
  Phone: 59975704
• Outlook Community Centre 
  Phone: 5941 1535
• Pakenham Living and Learning 
  Phone: 59412389
• Upper Beaconsfield Community Centre 
  Phone: 5944 3484

Social and interest groups

Cardinia Shire has many interest and social groups. View them in the directory below. 

Seniors groups directory

Community events

A range of Council and local community events can also be found in our online events calendar

Home library service

If you or someone you know is housebound or having difficulty getting to the library, give the Home Library Service team a call. They can arrange a home visit to discuss your eligibility and reading interests. You can have books delivered to your home and exchanged on a regular basis. All library volunteers are police checked. Of course you can visit your library service in Pakenham, Emerald and through the Mobile Library bus service.

The service offers

• large print books
• talking’ books
• short-term and long-term memberships

Ph: 5990 0100
Email: home.library@cclc.vic.gov.au

More info: Casey Cardinia Libraries - Home Library Service

Ageing Well Strategy 2019 – 25

• Council has adopted the Ageing Well Strategy 2019-25.
• The strategy sets Council’s priorities over the next 5 years to support older residents to be healthy, active, stay socially connected and participate fully in the community. 
• It was informed and developed through extensive consultation with older residents and the broader community along with community groups, service providers and state and federal government agencies. 

Stan Henwood Award

Do you know someone who has made a great contribution to the Cardinia Shire community?

Council’s Stan Henwood Award is presented each year to someone who has made a positive, long-term contribution to their community.
Visit the Stan Henwood Award page to nominate someone who has inspired you over the past year, or to find out more about the awards.

A proud Age Friendly City

• Cardinia Shire is proud to be an Age Friendly City, recognised by the World Health Organisation.
• An age-friendly city encourages active ageing by giving people opportunities to enjoy good health, participate in their community and feel secure and safe as they age. In practical terms, an age-friendly city adapts its structures and services to be accessible to and inclusive of older people with varying needs and capacities.

More info: World Health Organisation Age Friendly World website

Age Friendly Alliance Team

The Age Friendly Alliance Team was formed in 2017 to assist Council with its vision to create an age-friendly shire. An age-friendly shire enables older people to live in security, maintain their health and participate fully in society. Making cities age-friendly is one of the most effective approaches for responding to demographic ageing (World Health Organisation, 2007). 

Purpose 

• To provide a mechanism for Cardinia Shire Council to consult with community representatives around issues related to Ageing Well in Cardinia Shire 
• Guides and informs Council on the implementation of the Cardinia Shire Ageing Well Strategy and Action Plan. 

Objectives 

• To represent the needs of Cardinia Shire residents aged 55 years and over   
• Provide a platform for older residents to have a voice and present their views to improve the health and wellbeing of older residents   
• Provide insights and advice based on their own knowledge and experiences as older members of their various communities 
• Act as Ambassadors for Ageing Well by actively promoting information, activities and issues relating to ageing in Cardinia Shire 
• Assist Council with its vision to create an Age Friendly Cardinia Shire 
• Be actively involved in the delivery of projects, as they relate to the work of Council’s Ageing Well team 
• Assists with the development and distribution of the Ageing Well newsletter

Apply for seniors' accommodation

Visit the 'Apply for seniors' accommodation' web page

Personal alarms

Council do not provide personal alarms.

Funded personal alarms

If you are over 65, you may be eligible for a subsidised personal alarm. To enquire about this you can: 

• contact Mecwacare for an assessment on 5945 0800
• speak to a community health nurse or occupational therapist 

If you are under 65, contact Monash Health on 1300 342 273

Unfunded personal alarms

Many private providers offer medical monitoring services which you need to pay for.  

Find a public toilet

Go to the National Public Toilet Map website

Other support services for seniors

If you are in need of additional support, these services may be useful. 

Beyond Blue  

Speak one-on-one with a trained mental health professional. Completely confidential. 
Phone: 1300 224 636  

Carers Gateway  

Get practical advice and support. Carers can get a wide range of help from counselling, peer support to respite care. 
Phone: 1800 422 737

Council on the Ageing Victoria - COTA  

A not-for-profit organisation that represents the interests and rights of people aged 50+ in Victoria.
Phone: 1300 135 090  

Dementia Australia 
Representing Australians living with dementia and the almost 1.6 million Australians involved in their care.
Phone: 1800 100 500  

Lifeline   
Provides all Australians experiencing a personal crisis with access to 24-hour crisis support and suicide prevention services.
Phone: 131 114  

Scam Watch  
Scammers are getting increasingly sophisticated in their attempts to get your money or personal details. Be alert and protect yourself from being scammed. 
Phone: 1300 432 273  

Seniors Rights Victoria
Seniors Rights Victoria provides information, support, advice and education to help prevent elder abuse and safeguard the rights, dignity and independence of older people.
Phone: 1300 368 821

Stay Smart Online  
Gives advice and information about how to protect yourself, your family and your business online. 
Phone: 1300 292 371

Questions?

For any questions about services, events and activities for seniors:

Contact our Ageing Well Facilitator
Ph: 1300 787 624
Email: mail@cardinia.vic.gov.au